(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina’s Constitutional Ballot Commission gave its unanimous approval Thursday to the wording of a constitutional amendment that will be on November’s ballot. The commission is made up of Attorney General Alan Wilson, Director of the State Election Commission Marci Andino, and Ashley Harwell-Beach, representing the Director of Legislative Council. If the amendment passes, it would change the way South Carolina’s superintendent of education is chosen starting in January 2023. Now, voters elect the superintendent. The amendment asks voters if they want to change that so future governors would choose a superintendent, with the consent of the…

Registered sex offender sentenced for new crimes

(GREENVILLE, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that Danny Wayne Long pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Person under Eighteen Years of Age in Greenville County on August 7, 2018, in front of Judge Letitia Verdin. In July of 2015, Inv. Michael Rainey with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Boone, North Carolina Police Department that Danny Wayne Long, a registered sex offender, was posting ads on Craigslist in search of young females for sex. Inv. Rainey created an undercover persona…

Man pleads guilty to sending explicit photo to 14-year-old

(MARION, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that Shawn Donald Martindell pleaded guilty today to one count of Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Person Under 18 Years of Age, a mandatory sex offender registry offense. He entered the plea in Marion County in front of Judge Kristi Curtis. In February of 2017, a mother made an incident report with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office alleging that Shawn Donald Martindell sent a sexually explicit image to her 14-year-old daughter. Martindell was subsequently interviewed by Lt. Darren Miles with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, also a member of the Attorney…

State Grand Jury Indicts 27 People After Investigation of Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Marijuana Trafficking Organization Operating in the Midlands

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – August 7 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that 27 people have been indicted as a result of a State Grand Jury investigation into a statewide heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana trafficking organization that was largely operating in the Midlands of South Carolina, primarily Lexington and Richland counties. Covering a conspiracy that began in May of 2015, the State Grand Jury returned 21 indictments alleging multiple but connected charges and conspiracies, each related to trafficking 28 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of methamphetamine, trafficking heroin, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking cocaine, firearms-related charges,…

Attorney General Wilson Announces Six Plead Guilty as Part of Theft Ring

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – August 1, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that six individuals pleaded guilty this week for their roles in the theft and sale of nearly $400,000 worth of personal property stolen from victims in Marlboro County. Among those that entered pleas are: Christopher Jermaine Carter of Bennettsville, SC, who pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny over $10,000, four counts Grand Larceny value over $2,000 but less than $10,000, one count Burglary-Third Degree, and one count Criminal Conspiracy; Jamie Truett Gray of Bennettsville, SC who pleaded guilty to nine counts Grand Larceny value over…

SC Attorney General AlanWilson Joins FTC and 50 States to Combat Fraudulent Charities That Falsely Claim to Help Veterans and Service Members

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – July 19, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joins the Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement officials and charity regulators from every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico[1] in announcing “Operation Donate with Honor,” a sweeping new donor education campaign to help donors spot and avoid fundraising solicitations that falsely promise their donations will help veterans and service members. The new campaign is being released in conjunction with announcements of new and recent law enforcement actions by the FTC and many states. Every year, grateful Americans repay the sacrifices made by those…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — July 13, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a 26-state coalition in urging Senate leaders to confirm the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. The coalition expressed its support in a Thursday letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein. “Throughout his career, Judge Kavanaugh has demonstrated an abiding commitment to the principles and freedoms on which our country was founded, and an unshakable respect for the proper role of the courts within our constitutional…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – July 9, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson is pleased to announce that the South Carolina Legislature has approved a new Proviso for fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) raising the amount the Department of Crime Victim Compensation (DCVC) can pay towards a funeral and burial for eligible homicide victim claims. Those victims were able to receive up to $4,000 for funeral and burial expenses. They will now be able to receive up to $6,500. This new cap applies to claims received by the Attorney General’s Department of Crime Victim Compensation on or after…

Attorney General Alan Wilson announces arrest of Anderson man for criminal sexual conduct with a minor

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – July 10, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that William Jolly, 26, from Anderson, SC, was arrested today on two charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor- 3rd degree. He appeared before Judge Scott Sprouse who set his bond at $40,000.00 with an order from the Judge that he shall have no contact with the victim or other minors and that he will wear a GPS monitor. It is alleged that William Jolly committed lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 16 in Anderson and Berkeley counties on multiple occasions from 2015-2017. A person…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 28, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that a 15-state coalition, including South Carolina and led by Indiana, has prevailed in its support of a motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit filed by the cities of San Francisco and Oakland against various energy and manufacturing companies. The cities of San Francisco and Oakland, in the name of the State of California, had claimed that five fossil-fuel-producing corporations were violating “common law” because they contributed to global warming – which, the plaintiffs said, constitutes a “public nuisance.” The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of…

South Carolina Human Trafficking Youth Advocacy Summit Aims to Educate High School Students from throughout the State

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 27, 2018 – The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General, Children’s Trust of SC, and the SC Commission for Minority Affairs today hosted the first ever Human Trafficking Youth Advocacy Summit to educate high school students. It was held at the Richland 2 Innovation Center (R2i2) in the Village at Sandhill in Columbia. The daylong, free event was open to all high school students and included lunch as well as door prizes and anti-human trafficking resources. There were also non-profit and state agency groups distributing materials to the youth. “This was a great opportunity for young people from…

Sumter County Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 28, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Danny Eric Hope (age 55) of Sumter, SC, on fifteen charges connected to the exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Attorney General’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, all also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with this arrest. Investigators state Hope distributed and possessed files of child pornography. Hope was arrested on June 28, 2018. He is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405),…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 19, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that Lynette Lide, 43, of Timmonsville, South Carolina, entered a plea of guilty on June 15, 2018 on insurance fraud charges. Lide pleaded guilty to one count of Presenting a False Claim for Payment Between $2,000 – $10,000 and one count of Presenting a False Claim for Payment Greater Than $10,000. The Honorable Thomas A. Russo accepted the plea and sentenced Lide to one year in prison on the charges. Lide also pleaded guilty to two additional charges of Shoplifting and Escape and was sentenced to 18…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 12, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested 48 suspected child sex offenders in South Carolina as part of Operation Broken Heart. “Internet predators continue to find new and innovative ways to prey upon our children and South Carolina is no exception,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “We must continue to expand our efforts to not only investigate and prosecute these crimes, but educate parents and youth on how they can be more vigilant and safe using technology.” The three-month national operation was conducted during the months…

Judge sides with South Carolina Attorney General and blocks shutdown of MOX Project

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 7, 2018 – A federal judge has blocked the proposed shutdown of the MOX Project at the Savannah River Site in Aiken County. Judge Michelle Childs sided with Attorney General Alan Wilson’s argument that allowing the project to be shut down would irreparably harm the state. The state argued in federal court on Tuesday that shutting down the project would doom the state to being the nation’s permanent dumping ground for plutonium since there is no other disposal method approved by Congress. The MOX Project will turn weapons-grade plutonium into mixed oxide fuel to be used in…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 6, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson and the attorneys general of 10 other states today asked a federal court to block an Obama-era rule they say will hurt states and their landowners. The states are asking for a preliminary injunction against the 2015 Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule that expands federal control over private land. The states are trying to stop the rule permanently but are asking for a preliminary injunction to keep it from being put into place while the lawsuit is pending. The motion states that if the 2015 WOTUS Rule…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – June 1, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson told the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force Friday that the state has new tools to help fight the crime. The state legislature strengthened state laws against human trafficking, at the urging of the Attorney General’s Office. One law created a 30-year non-parolable offense for trafficking in minors. Lawmakers also changed the wording of the law against human trafficking to make it easier to prosecute the buyers of trafficking victims under the human trafficking law. South Carolina Legal Services also has a first for the state: a full-time attorney who…

Attorney General Alan Wilson files for injunction to stop shutdown of MOX project in SC

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 25, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson today filed a motion in federal court asking for an injunction to stop the U.S. Department of Energy from shutting down the mixed oxide fuel, or MOX, project being built at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. “MOX is another example of a long and tortured history of promises broken by the federal government,” Attorney General Wilson said. According to a memorandum in support of a preliminary injunction, for more than 20 years, the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration have recommended that the U.S. dispose of…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 25, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that his Medicaid Recipient Fraud division has recovered just under $65,000 in Medicaid benefits from a recipient in Aiken County who fraudulently got those benefits. This was not a conviction in court so we cannot name the recipient, due to privacy restrictions. The recipient got the Medicaid benefits over several years and, after our investigation, agreed to repay $64,900.23, which the Attorney General’s Office received May 24th. “This is a victory for taxpayers, who are happy to help their neighbors in need but certainly don’t want their tax money…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 22, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson sent a letter today to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry giving him notice the state intends to file a lawsuit against the United States, the Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and their respective officers in their official capacities, to challenge Secretary Perry’s certification to terminate the MOX (Mixed Oxide) Project at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The purpose of the MOX plant is to convert weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for nuclear reactors. In his letter, Attorney General Wilson says, “South Carolina is disappointed…

Attorney General Wilson announces lengthy sentence for crime spree

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 22, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that Brittany Michelle Furubotten, 33, of Swansea, South Carolina, entered guilty pleas to one count of Burglary, 2nd degree (Violent), one count of Burglary, 2nd degree (Non-violent), and five counts of Forgery, value less than $10,000. The Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh accepted the plea and sentenced Furubotten to 12 years on the Burglary 2nd (Violent), 10 years on the Burglary 2nd(Non-violent), and 5 years on each of the Forgery charges, with all of the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, as a result of her guilty plea, she…

AG Wilson Joins Walgreens to Announce Expansion of Safe Medication Disposal Program in South Carolina

(COLUMBIA, SC) – May 21, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson today joined Walgreens to announce the expansion of safe medication disposal kiosks to more Walgreens locations in South Carolina. AmerisourceBergen, Pfizer and Prime Therapeutics are joining Walgreens to expand the availability of the year-round safe medication disposal kiosks to 20 locations throughout the state. The expansion is part of an effort announced last year by leading health care organizations to combat the national opioid abuse crisis by increasing the availability of safe medication disposal kiosks to an additional 900 Walgreens drugstores around the country. When the expansion…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Leads Coalition in Support of Stiffer Penalties for Irresponsible Drug Manufacturers

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — May 21, 2018 — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, along with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Washington Attorney General Robert Ferguson, led a bipartisan coalition of 39 state and territory attorneys general to call on congressional leaders to promptly pass measures to help hold opioid manufacturers accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic and stem diversion. “Diversion of prescription opioids has devastated communities in our states,” said Attorney General Wilson and the other attorneys general in their letter. “The consequences of turning a blind eye to suspicious opioid order cannot merely be a cost…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Leads Coalition in Support of Expanding Small Business Healthcare Options

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 18, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is co-leading a coalition of 14 states in sending a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, applauding the Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which aims to allow for more small businesses to become eligible to participate in Association Health Plans (AHPs). “In an uncertain legal and regulatory environment where healthcare costs continue to rise and choices are limited, Americans need more options and predictability for affordable healthcare,” said Attorney General Wilson. “We applaud the Department of Labor’s efforts in seeking to allow eligible small businesses the…

(GREENVILLE, S.C.) – May 17, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson joined Greenville County Schools today at the launch of a new educational initiative aimed to empower South Carolina high school students with the skills to make safe and healthy decisions about prescription medications and understand the dangers of misusing these drugs. The program launch was held at Mauldin High School with representatives from the student government as well as school and district leadership. The program, developed by EVERFI, the nation’s leading technology innovator used in one-in-seven high schools nationwide, is available in select high schools across the state at…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces Insurance Fraud Guilty Plea

(SUMTER, S.C.) – May 18, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces the guilty plea and sentencing of a Sumter County man who defrauded Geico out of over $10,000. On May 16, 2018, Shyquan Marquez Soloman, 20, pleaded guilty to Presenting a False Claim for Payment Over $10,000. Under the Youthful Offender Act, Judge D. Craig Brown gave him a sentence not to exceed 6 years. This sentence was suspended to 5 years of probation. A special condition of probation is for Mr. Soloman to pay $10,166.45 in restitution. Probation may terminate upon payment in full of all fines,…

Attorney General Alan Wilson announces the creation of the Money Services Division

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 14, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the creation of the Money Services Division of the Attorney General’s Office. The recently enacted South Carolina Anti-Money Laundering Act names the Attorney General as Commissioner over money transmitters and currency exchange businesses in this state. Starting today, [Monday, May 14,] the Money Services Division will begin accepting applications for licenses to conduct money transmission and currency exchange services in South Carolina. Applications will be required to be made using the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System. “The licensing and review process will protect the interests of…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 3, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today State Grand Jury criminal gang-related indictments of eight people in Richland, Lexington, and Newberry Counties on murder, attempted murder, burglary, conspiracy and other offenses. The indictments allege that the defendants committed these crimes as members of a criminal gang. “These indictments describe a gang that allegedly carried out acts of violence throughout the Midlands,” Attorney General Wilson said. “The State Grand Jury, the Attorney General’s Office, and state and local law enforcement will continue to work together to make our communities safer.” The indictments were handed…

AG Wilson Joins Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful Obama-Era DACA Program

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – May 1, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is part of a coalition of seven states that filed a lawsuit today against the federal government to end the unconstitutional Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted lawful presence and work permits to nearly one million unlawfully present aliens without congressional approval. As of August 21, 2017, DACA led to U.S. citizenship for 1,056 aliens and provided a pathway to citizenship for 39,514 aliens – even though the Obama administration promised the program would not grant any pathway to citizenship. Siding with the rule…

Attorney General Wilson Announces State Receives $81 Million in Tobacco Settlement Funds

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 27, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that the State secured $81,104,834.10, in its share of the annual tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) Payment. “These payments are incredibly important to the taxpayers of South Carolina because they mean the tobacco companies are repaying the state for some of the costs related to smoking,” Attorney General Wilson said. In 1998, the Attorney General’s Office joined 45 other States, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories in settling claims with the then four major U.S. cigarette manufacturers. The MSA is the largest financial…

AG Alan Wilson Part of 20-State Injunction Against Obamacare

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 26, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is part of a 20-state coalition that today filed a motion seeking a preliminary injunction against the federal government’s Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. In February, the same 20-state coalition filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare, explaining that Congress rendered all of Obamacare unconstitutional by doing away with the tax penalty in Obamacare’s individual mandate when it enacted President Trump’s tax overhaul. In the motion for a preliminary injunction, the 20-state coalition told the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas that…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 26, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces the guilty plea and sentencing of a Texas man who defrauded Genworth Financial out of over $35,000. On April 25, 2018, John P. Sankey, 53, pleaded guilty to Making a False Representation over $1,000. Judge George M. McFaddin gave him a three year sentence. This sentence was suspended to 3 years of probation. A special condition of probation is for Mr. Sankey to pay $35,506.55 in restitution. Probation may terminate upon payment in full of restitution and assessments. Mark Hardee of the Hardee Law Firm in Columbia represented…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 25, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a 15-state coalition of attorneys general fighting a lawsuit filed by San Francisco and Oakland against various energy and manufacturing companies. According to the states’ brief, the cities are suing in the name of the State of California, “to harness the power and prestige of federal courts to remedy global climate change.” “We cannot let two California cities use the court system to set energy policy for the whole country and bypass our elected representatives in Congress,” Attorney General Wilson said. “This lawsuit would be a disaster…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 24, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that Christopher Hayne Witherspoon, 44, of Darlington, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea this morning to one count of Keeping of a Gaming House and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Slot, Video, or Gambling Device, each offense carrying a maximum penalty of one year incarceration and a $2,000 fine and $500 fine, respectively. The Honorable Paul Burch accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Witherspoon to the maximum sentence and fine for each charge, suspended upon the service of one year probation and a total of $750…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 20, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that on April 19th, 2018, the State Grand Jury indicted Ronald Wilbanks, the former Police Chief for the City of Walhalla, on three counts of Misconduct in Office. Wilbanks resigned from his position on April 17th. He was the police chief of Walhalla since 2012 and a member of the police department for 12 years. Count One of the indictment alleges that from January 2010 until December 2017, Wilbanks asked for and illegally obtained from officers and subordinates under his command narcotic and opiate pills that the officers…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 13, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces the guilty plea and sentencing of a Sumter man who was part of a large insurance fraud ring. On April 12, 2018, Jair Hakeem Golden, 21, pleaded guilty as charged to Presenting a False Claim for Payment Greater than $10,000. Judge R. Ferrell Cothran gave him a Youthful Offender Act sentence, not to exceed 6 years. This sentence was suspended to 5 years of probation. A special condition of probation is for Mr. Golden to pay $16,564.12 in restitution. Probation may terminate upon the payment of restitution. …

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – April 13, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined an amicus brief supporting an Alabama law requiring voters to show personal identification at the polls. Attorneys general from 10 other states signed onto the filing. Several civil rights groups have sued Alabama, claiming minorities are discouraged from casting ballots when they must produce IDs. Attorney General Wilson said IDs are easy to obtain and create no undue hardships for minority voters. A U.S. district court already has upheld Alabama’s law as a constitutional safeguard against fraud and abuse, but plaintiffs now have taken their arguments to…

The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force Congratulates Doors to Freedom for Opening South Carolina’s Only Safe Home for Underage Victims of Sex Trafficking

(Columbia, S.C.) – April 9, 2018 – There are hundreds of thousands of children being exploited in the United States each year. In fact, sex trafficking is negatively impacting communities across our state. The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, chaired by the Attorney General’s Office, is leading the way in counter-human trafficking efforts through community awareness, legal innovation, and support services to victims. Today, the Task Force recognizes a milestone in the anti-human trafficking movement. “This is an eventful day in South Carolina’s efforts to support child victims of sex trafficking,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “We congratulate…

Anti-Crime Provision Pushed by AG Alan Wilson and State AGs Included in Federal Budget Signed by President

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – March 27, 2018 – The final federal spending plan that President Trump signed into law last Friday includes a provision that will make it easier to convict criminals who try to hide evidence on overseas computer servers. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson was one of 36 state attorneys general who sent Congress a letter urging it to pass the CLOUD Act. CLOUD stands for Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data. Under the Stored Communications Act, or SCA, a law enforcement agency can get a search warrant for someone’s email or other online accounts if a judge…

AG Alan Wilson Joins Lawsuit Against California to Uphold Immigration Law and Protect Public Safety

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – March 26, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined the fight against the state of California and its sanctuary cities policy. South Carolina joined a coalition of 18 states which today filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the Trump administration’s lawsuit against California over state laws that intentionally obstruct the federal government’s ability to enforce the nation’s immigration law. In the brief, the attorneys general highlight a 2012 case where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot stand in the way of federal agents following federal immigration law. In that case (Arizona v….

Attorney General Alan Wilson announces drug and gang indictments against 15 people

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – March 21, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today State Grand Jury drug trafficking and criminal gang-related indictments of three people in Richland County on drug, gun, and money laundering offenses, and the indictments of 15 people in Lexington County on drug trafficking charges. Three of those 15 are the ones indicted in Richland County. The indictments allege that a criminal gang known as the “Paid Family” is responsible for the crimes. “The allegations in these indictments describe an armed gang that carried out a long-running conspiracy which brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars,”…

Ten Arrested Across South Carolina as Part of Multistate Child Exploitation Crackdown

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – March 16, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of the following ten individuals on charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors as part of a multistate crackdown among nine Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces across the Southeast. Anthony Carmichael (age 30), of Marion, S.C., was arrested on March 14, 2018 by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. He is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment; and ten counts of sexual exploitation of a…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Achieves Reconsideration of Federal Rules that Excessively Restrict Property Owners’ Use of Land

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – March 16, 2018 – Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that, in light of a lawsuit filed by South Carolina and 19 other States, the federal government has agreed to reconsider rules adopted during the Obama administration that restrict property owners’ use of land. In 2016, federal agencies adopted two new rules that allowed the federal government to designate land as “critical habitat” for an endangered species, even if that species did not presently live on that land and even if the land failed to possess the biological features necessary for the survival of the species. Alabama…

SC Attorney General Alan Wilson and 54 attorneys general call on Congress to support victims of child pornography

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – March 6, 2018 — Today, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and a bipartisan group of 54 state and territorial attorneys general led by Washington and Utah called on congressional leaders to pass legislation supporting victims of child pornography. The bipartisan bill, the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2017, would make it easier for victims of child pornography to obtain restitution. A similar bill passed the U.S. Senate in 2015 but failed to pass the House of Representatives. The letter is directed to House and Judiciary Committee leaders. “Victims of child pornography…

SC Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces 125 Charges Against 24 People in Major Drug Case

(MARION, S.C.)- March 5, 2018- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today 125 charges against 24 people in a major drug investigation across three counties in the Pee Dee. The case is known as “Gimme the Loot” and took place in Horry, Marion, and Florence counties. The defendants are charged with various offenses, including trafficking heroin, trafficking cocaine, trafficking crack, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking marijuana, and money laundering. The investigation was led by the Attorney General’s State Grand Jury section and the State Law Enforcement Division and involved the Marion County Combined Drug Unit, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – February 26, 2018 — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a 20-state coalition urging a federal district court in Texas to hold the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate is unconstitutional and to enjoin the entire law. “I’ve always fought for the rule of law and the preservation of freedom and this law is clearly unconstitutional,” Attorney General Wilson said. “The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that Congress cannot force citizens to buy health insurance. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution so I have to be part of this fight to throw…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – February 22, 2018 – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today a settlement with TK Holdings, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Takata, over allegations that the company concealed safety issues related to its airbag systems which were installed in a wide variety of vehicles. TK Holdings, Inc. filed a bankruptcy case in chapter 11 in June 2017, and its reorganization plan has been confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The consent decree and settlement agreement have been presented to that court for approval. The settlement, reached between the attorneys general…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – February 21, 2018 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and a bipartisan group of attorneys general are asking Congress to pass a law to prevent criminals from hiding evidence on overseas computer servers. In a letter sponsored by Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, and signed by the attorneys general of 34 other States, the National Association of Attorneys General today urged Congress to pass the Clarify Lawful Overseas Use of Data (“CLOUD”) Act. The CLOUD Act would update and amend several provisions of the Stored Communications Act (“SCA”). Under the SCA,…

Attorney General Alan Wilson announces South Carolinians to get $800,000 in lawsuit settlement

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – February 13, 2018 In South Carolina, 868 residents will be receiving checks as part of a lawsuit settlement, Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today. The money is going to people who used the brand-name drug Provigil or its generic equivalent modafinil from June 24, 2006 to March 31, 2012. Provigil, which includes the active ingredient modafinil, is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve wakefulness in adult patients with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. In August 2016, Attorney General Wilson and 47 other state attorneys general…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – February 12, 2018 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a bipartisan coalition of 56 states and territories today urging Congress to end secret, forced arbitration in cases of workplace sexual harassment. Too often employees are required to sign employment contracts containing arbitration agreements mandating that sexual harassment claims be resolved through private arbitration instead of the judicial process. The secrecy surrounding these proceedings can protect serial violators and provide inadequate relief to victims. “Sexual harassment needs to be rooted out of our society. There is no place for sexual harassment at any time or in any…

Attorney General Alan Wilson warns about computer malware

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – February 1, 2018 Online operators have found a new way to target South Carolina citizens by infecting visitors to so-called pirate websites. A recent study entitled “Digital Bait” established that visiting content theft sites – websites devoted to illegally distributing movies, music, books, and other copyrighted content – was a major source for infecting computers with dangerous malware that can lead to identity theft and other serious financial and privacy harms. The study showed that one in every three content theft sites exposed visitors to malware exploitable by criminals, and that almost half of the malware was…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – January 23, 2018 CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) announced today that the company has expanded its safe medication disposal program to locations inside select CVS Pharmacy locations in South Carolina to help facilitate proper and timely disposal of opioids and other medications that could be diverted or misused if left in people’s homes. Attorney General Alan Wilson, State Representative Chip Huggins and Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green attended the launch of the program at a Lexington CVS Pharmacy location. “With a presence in nearly 10,000 communities across the country, we see firsthand the impact of the alarming and…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – January 18, 2018 Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that restitution totaling $215,249.46 has been paid back in South Carolina from food stamp fraud cases in 2017. During 2017, 60 individuals were prosecuted statewide for food stamp fraud with $209,132.67 in restitution ordered to the Department of Social Services (DSS) related to these convictions. Over the course of the year, $215,249.46 was collected in restitution either through cases in the probation system or by payments made directly to DSS related to cases prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s SNAP Fraud Unit. These results stem from the…

Attorney General Alan Wilson, the South Carolina Trucking Association, and Truckers Against Trafficking Collaborate on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – January 11, 2018 Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise worldwide with estimates of 42 million people being exploited each year. It is also a crime that is impacting communities across the nation and our state. The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General is leading the way in counter-human-trafficking efforts through prevention education, prosecution, and the office’s support of innovative collaborations. Attorney General Alan Wilson welcomed trucking association members, trucking plaza industry representatives, and 25 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to Columbia for a Trucking Against Traffickers (TAT) coalition build. The coalition build…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – January 9, 2018 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that Ana Marin, 41, of Lexington, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea to one count of Embezzlement of Public Funds, Value Less Than $10,000 under S.C. Code § 16-13-210(A). The Honorable Michael G. Nettles accepted the plea and sentenced Marin to five (5) years’ imprisonment, provided that upon the service of ninety (90) days, the balance is suspended with probation for five (5) years. The ninety (90) days will be served on the weekend. Marin was also ordered to pay $36,620 in restitution. If Marin is…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – January 5, 2018 The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General hosted a two-day Southeast Human Trafficking Coalition meeting composed of anti-human trafficking advocates from eight states. The coalition is facilitated by the Region IV Administration on Children and Families in Atlanta. Included in the group are state task force and coalition leaders including representatives of government agencies and non-profit organizations. “Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world and South Carolina sits right between two of the top-20 hubs for it—Atlanta and Charlotte,” says South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. “That’s why we created…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces Settlement with Western Union Over Wire Fraud Scams

Columbia, S.C. – December 14, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced a $586 million dollar settlement with Colorado-based The Western Union Company “Western Union”. The settlement resolves a multistate investigation which focused on complaints of consumers who used Western Union’s wire transfer service to send money to third parties involved in schemes to defraud consumers. The settlement, reached between the attorneys general of all 50 states and the District of Columbia and The Western Union Company “Western Union”, alleged that fraudsters were able to use Western Union’s money transfer system to get payments from their victims, even though the…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces Public Corruption Indictments

(COLUMBIA, SC) – December 7, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has issued indictments related to allegations of corruption at the Berkeley County School District [BCSD]. The first indictment was issued October 17, 2017 ; another separate indictment was issued November 15, 2017 – both were unsealed yesterday. The State Grand Jury charged Brantley D. Thomas, III, 61, [THOMAS] who was the long-time lead financial officer for BCSD. The indictments encompass fifteen (15) charges, including fourteen (14) charges for embezzlement and one (1) charge of forgery. Embezzlement charges #1 and…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Releases Opinion on Validity of Laws That Don’t Have State Seal

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – December 1, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson has released an opinion on whether laws are constitutional if they haven’t had the Great Seal of the State affixed to them as required. State Rep. Joshua Putnam, R-Piedmont, requested the opinion after he found that more than 100 laws enacted over the last 15 years do not have the Great Seal on them. Article III, Subsection 18 of the South Carolina Constitution says, “No Bill or Joint Resolution shall have the force of law until it shall have been read three times and on three several days in each…

[COLUMBIA, S.C.] — November 30, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a 12-state effort in defending the right of states to prohibit abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a crucial argument to protect the lives of unborn children. The coalition’s brief leans upon a growing scientific consensus that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain at the 20-week threshold, if not before. “The right to life is a gift from God and is first among the unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence. Governments are created to protect those rights,” Attorney General Wilson said. “Each state’s citizens…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – November 21, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is urging Congress to protect citizens’ right to self-defense by passing a law requiring every state to recognize the concealed weapon permits from all other states. “States should not be able to deny citizens of other states the basic constitutional right to self-defense,” Attorney General Wilson said. “South Carolinians who have gone through the process of getting concealed weapon permits shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can protect themselves and their families when they travel in other states.” Attorney General Wilson signed onto a letter with other…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Urges Supreme Court to Protect Prayer at Public Meetings

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — November 15, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and a coalition of 22 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the practice of lawmaker-led prayer at public meetings. The coalition intends to file a brief Wednesday asking the Supreme Court to hear arguments and confirm the constitutionality of the practice. Such a decision would clear confusion among the lower courts and strike down a ruling that impacts South Carolina. “Our Founding Fathers strongly supported legislative prayer by public bodies and deeply believed in Divine Guidance to support these bodies. Nothing in the Constitution prevents…

Attorney General Alan Wilson announces new program to help veterans, active duty, and Reserves

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – November 9, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today a new program to help veterans, active duty military, and members of the Reserves get free legal help. The program is called V.A.L.O.R., which stands for Veterans, Active/Reserve Legal OutReach. “The legal profession has always recognized it has a moral obligation to support those who defend the freedoms we treasure,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson, who’s also a Colonel in the SC National Guard and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “This new program will better connect veterans and members of the military with the legal help they…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – November 1, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson filed a legal response today agreeing that the Court should appoint a receiver to take charge of all the money collected in the future by SCE&G related to the failed V.C. Summer Nuclear Project. The receiver would also take custody of all bank accounts that contain money already collected for the project, including any payout from the Westinghouse/Toshiba settlement. The Attorney General’s filing is in response to a lawsuit filed by LeBrian Cleckley on behalf of himself and all SCE&G customers against the power company and the state…

States allege broad, industry-wide understanding among numerous drug manufacturers to restrain competition and raise prices on 15 generic drugs; senior executives sued (Columbia, S.C.) — October 31, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson and 44 other state attorneys general taking part in a wide-ranging multistate antitrust investigation of the generic drug industry have asked the federal court for permission to file a new complaint in the states’ pending lawsuit that increases the number of generic drug manufacturer defendants from six to 18 in the case and the number of drugs at issue in the litigation from two to 15. For the…

Attorney General Alan Wilson urges South Carolinians to participate in Prescription Drug Take Back Day tomorrow

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – October 27, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson urges South Carolinians who have prescription drugs they no longer need to properly dispose of them tomorrow during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. There will be thousands of locations nationwide where people can drop off their unused medications for proper disposal. Getting rid of unused prescription drugs helps address a serious public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study found that a majority of the people who abused prescription drugs got…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – October 20, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today a $120 million settlement with General Motors Company (“GM”) over allegations GM concealed safety issues related to ignition-switch-related defects in GM vehicles. The settlement, reached between the attorneys general of 49 states and the District of Columbia and General Motors Company (“GM”), concludes a multistate investigation into the auto manufacturer’s failure to timely disclose known safety defects associated with unintended key- rotation-related and/or ignition-switch-related issues in several models and model years of GM vehicles. “This settlement will make all South Carolina drivers safer,” Attorney General Wilson said. “Even…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – October 20, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined with a bipartisan group of attorneys general from across the country in letters to 15 health care companies that provide pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services, encouraging the companies to implement programs to mitigate prescription opioid abuse. The attorneys general also sent a letter to the president and CEO of CVS Health Corporation applauding the company’s recent program that automatically enrolled all commercial, health plan, employer and Medicaid clients in an opioid abuse mitigation program. “The opioid epidemic involves everyone from patients to doctors to pharmaceutical companies to pharmacies…

Attorney General Alan Wilson, 13 States Urge Senate to Rein In Unelected Bureaucracy

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — October 12, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a coalition of 13 state attorneys general in urging Congress to curb the authority of federal agencies to create and enforce regulations. The attorneys general wrote to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging the Senate to pass a bill that would amend the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), a statute which sets forth the requirements for lawful executive agency action. “Regulation by unelected bureaucrats cannot replace legislation by the people’s elected representatives,” Attorney General Wilson said. The letter states that the Obama-era executive overreach demonstrates that existing congressional,…

SC Victims’ Services Groups Awarded More Than $38 Million in Grants

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – October 11, 2017 Groups that help crime victims across South Carolina are getting more than $38 million in federal and state grants. The Public Safety Coordinating Council formally approved the grants in September and the money started going out October 1st. The grants are distributed by the South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division, which was added to the Attorney General’s Office by state law earlier this year. It had been a part of the Department of Public Safety. There are three different types of grants: Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants; Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants;…

(Columbia, SC) – October 3, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson led participants through the 20th annual Silent Witness Domestic Violence ceremony that was held today on the south steps of the State House in Columbia. During the solemn ceremony, Attorney General Wilson called the names of 34 women and five men from across the state who lost their lives as the result of domestic violence in the previous year. Victims’ family members, friends, or volunteers carried a life-sized silhouette representing the victim to the State House steps as a bell was rung for each victim. An additional 40th silhouette represented…

39 Attorneys General Call on Congress to Change Federal Law to Make Drug Treatment More Affordable and Accessible

(Columbia, S.C.) – October 2, 2017 Today, Attorney General Alan Wilson, with a bipartisan coalition of 39 Attorneys General and the National Association of Attorneys General, called on Congress to pass legislation that changes federal law to make treatment for drug addiction more affordable and accessible for Americans who most need it. HR 2938 is the “Road to Recovery” Act. Led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, the coalition of Attorneys General sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, describing the national epidemic of heroin and opioid abuse and overdose deaths, and…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — September 28, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a 25-state coalition in support of permanently rescinding language used in the 2015 Waters of the United States rule. The coalition filed its letter Wednesday as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing review of the WOTUS rule. It encourages the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to preserve the states’ role in protecting water resources by fully eliminating the Obama-era rule and enforcing pre-existing rules until more concise language can be adopted. “This rule is nothing but an unconstitutional federal land grab that will hurt businesses…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — September 20, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a multistate coalition in supporting the right of individual states to prohibit sanctuary cities within their borders. Sanctuary jurisdictions — cities and localities that prohibit or otherwise obstruct cooperation between federal and local officials on immigration enforcement — defy the rule of law and deprive law enforcement of the tools necessary for effective civil and criminal enforcement. “I swore an oath to uphold the law when I took office and sanctuary cities scoff at the rule of law,” Attorney General Wilson said. Prohibiting sanctuary cities helps uphold…

Attorney General Seeks Documents from Opioid Distributors

[COLUMBIA, S.C.] – September 19, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general seeks documents and information from distributors of prescription opioids as part of a multistate investigation into the nationwide opioid epidemic. This information will enable the attorneys general to evaluate whether distributors engaged in unlawful practices in the marketing, sale, and distribution of opioids. There are 41 attorneys general participating in the multistate investigations. Nationwide and in South Carolina, opioids—prescription and illicit—are the main driver of drug overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids were involved in…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — September 18, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general from 33 other states and the District of Columbia in urging credit reporting firm Equifax to stop pushing its own fee-based credit monitoring service after the massive data breach affecting 143 million people. In a letter to the company, they’re asking Equifax to disable links for enrollment in its fee-based monitoring. They’re also asking Equifax to reimburse consumers who incur fees to freeze their credit. The states launched an investigation as soon as Equifax publicly disclosed the breach September 7th. “We…

Attorney General Wilson releases PSA on price gouging

Report Price Gouging

Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces Price-Gouging Law in Effect

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – September 6, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that the state’s law against price gouging is now in effect, since Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency. “With the possibility that Hurricane Irma could make landfall in South Carolina, our people have already started making preparations. We can expect normal price increases, but we may see businesses and individuals looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, and other commodities as defined by the statute. By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – September 5, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson applauded President Trump’s announcement today to uphold the Constitution and give Congress time to decide how best to handle so-called “Dreamers,” children and teens who were brought into this country illegally by their parents. “This is a victory for the rule of law and the Constitution,” Wilson said. “The Constitution gives the power to pass laws to Congress, not the president. Now Congress can consider how best to address this issue.” President Trump announced that he’s rescinding DACA—Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals—but is giving Congress six…

Solicitor General Bob Cook honored for 40 years of service, awarded Order of the Palmetto

August 31, 2017 South Carolina Solicitor General Bob Cook was honored Thursday with a surprise recognition to celebrate his 40 years of service to the state. Gov. Henry McMaster, a former attorney general who worked with him, awarded him The Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor the state can bestow. Four of the five attorneys general with whom he worked attended: Alan Wilson, Henry McMaster, Charlie Condon, and Travis Medlock. The Solicitor General heads the Opinions Section. By statute, the Governor, members of the General Assembly, and other public officials are entitled to legal advice from the Attorney…

Attorneys General Ask Congress to Amend Sex Trafficking Law

(COLUMBIA, SC) – August 16, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson today joined 49 other state and territorial attorneys general in a bi-partisan coalition urging Congress to affirm that all law-enforcement agencies retain their traditional authority to fight sex trafficking. In a letter to Congress, the attorneys general ask representatives to amend the Communications Decency Act (CDA) to clarify that states, localities and territories retain authority to investigate and prosecute facilitators of child sex trafficking wherever they operate, including online. The simple word addition to the CDA proposed in this letter will help to ensure that citizens and children are effectively…

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – August 15, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson filed a historic lawsuit today against Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin and other opioid drugs. The suit was filed in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas and alleges that Purdue unfairly and deceptively marketed opioids, which helped create and fuel South Carolina’s opioid epidemic. Opioids are prescription narcotics possessing properties similar to opium and heroin. While opioids can dampen pain, they also “can create an addictive euphoric high,” the complaint alleges. The lawsuit says Purdue violated South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act, failed to comply with…

(COLUMBIA, S.C) – August 8, 2017 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson today filed for a rehearing with the state Supreme Court on its recent ruling in a case that removed domestic violence protections for couples who live together or did in the past. The case, Jane Doe v. State, was brought by a woman who sued on equal protection grounds because the state’s domestic violence law does not include protection for same-sex couples. The Court agreed with her but threw out the entire section of the law, meaning same-sex and opposite-sex couples who live together, or did in…

SC Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against U.S.

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – August 8, 2017 The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit Monday against the federal government to recover $100 million the U.S. Department of Energy owes the state for failing to meet its promise to remove one ton of plutonium from the Savannah River Site this year. A case of such magnitude has never been filed by South Carolina against the federal government. Congress mandated that the U.S. Department of Energy would pay South Carolina $1 million per day, beginning January 1, 2016, for every day the department failed to remove from the state…

(Columbia, S.C.) – June 15, 2017 Today, Attorney General Alan Wilson alerted the public to an online promotion that misleads consumers to believe they can receive tobacco settlement money. The online promotion claims individuals can sign up to claim thousands of dollars per month from the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. The advertisement promises that individuals may receive a tax-free portion of the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and that this money is guaranteed by the government. In reality, this advertisement entices citizens to enter a credit card number for a monthly subscription in order to learn about purchasing tobacco revenue bonds….

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – March 1, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that South Carolina has joined a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging that six generic drug-makers entered into illegal conspiracies in order to unreasonably restrain trade, artificially inflate and manipulate prices and reduce competition in the United States for two generic drugs. An amended complaint filed with the federal court increases the number of plaintiff states in the lawsuit from 20 to 40, which was initially filed in December 2016. The amended complaint also adds claims of alleged violations of state antitrust laws – in addition to the alleged violations…

AG Wilson: SC to Recover $273,583.50 from Food Stamp Fraud Cases

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – February 8, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that restitution totaling $273,583.50 has been ordered in in South Carolina from food stamp fraud cases in 2016. During 2016, 70 individuals were convicted state-wide for food stamp fraud with $273,583.50 in restitution ordered to the Department of Social Services (DSS) related to these convictions. Over the course of the year, $150,748.59 was collected in restitution either through the probation system or by payments made directly to DSS. These results stem from the second year of a partnership targeting abuse of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),…

Safer Internet Day 2017

Tuesday, February 7, 2017 is Safer Internet Day. Be smart online, and together we can create a better, safer Internet. For more information, visit www.saferinternetday.us. Safer Internet Day 2017 from Alan Wilson on Vimeo.

Summer 2017 Internship Program

The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office offers an internship program for students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited academic institution. Interns will have an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge of the Office while conducting research, providing administrative support, and attending court hearings, depositions, or trials as schedules permit. Interns must work at least 15 hours but no more than 25 hours per week. Law students seeking internship opportunities should apply through the Law Clerk Program. Application Process: The Office will accept applications from February 1, 2017, until 5:00 pm on February 28, 2017. No applications will be…

Human Trafficking Task Force Presents 2016 Annual Report

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – January 5, 2017 Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced the release of the 2016 Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Report. Each year, the annual report details data and successes from the previous year, and outlines goals and objectives for the upcoming year. Some of the 2016 findings include: In 2016, there were 50 charges of Trafficking in Persons closed in the State courts. Of the 50 cases, 36 of those charges involved victims under the age of 18 years of age. Currently, 28 charges are pending in the State courts with 22 involving minor victims. The…

State Attorneys General Ask President-Elect Trump to Ensure GITMO Detainees are not Transferred to U.S.

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – November 16, 2016 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, along with Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, today asked President-elect Donald Trump for his assistance to ensure the current administration does not relocate detainees from Guantanamo Bay to their states. In a letter to Trump, the attorneys general request that he “raise this issue personally with President Obama and procure his commitment that the outgoing administration will not seek to close Guantanamo or transfer any current detainees to our homeland.” In November 2015, Attorney General Coffman, Attorney General Schmidt and Attorney General…

Columbia Man Pleads Guilty in Human Trafficking Case

Columbia Man Pleads Guilty in Human Trafficking Case (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – November 2, 2016 Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that Trevonta Matthews (DOB: 1992) pleaded guilty to multiple charges in a human trafficking case. Matthews of Columbia pleaded guilty on Nov. 1, 2016 to one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, four counts human trafficking and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The Honorable DeAndrea Benjamin sentenced Matthews to 17 years in prison. Once released, Matthews must register as a sex offender. Matthews was indicted by the State Grand Jury on Dec. 9, 2015….

Greenville News Commentary: Protect kids from online predators

October 10, 2016 BY: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson As seen in the Greenville News In South Carolina right now, there are 14,392 registered sex offenders. The sad reality is that these predators are in our state, our cities and even our neighborhoods. As parents, we try to do everything we can to protect our children. However, with the abundance of technology available, predators can reach our children without us ever seeing a warning sign. It’s often hard to believe that heinous crimes such as human trafficking and domestic violence are happening right here in South Carolina, but it’s…

How to Report Suspected Price Gouging

October 4, 2016 South Carolina’s price gouging statute is in full effect upon notice that Governor Haley issued an executive order declaring state of emergency. Pursuant to state law, price gouging constitutes a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice. The price gouging law (SC 39-5-145) is a general prohibition of unconscionable prices during times of disaster. It is in effect for the duration of the state of emergency. Price gougers can be charged for excessive pricing, a misdemeanor offense punishable with a $1,000 fine and/or 30 days in jail. Please report all suspected instances of price gouging to the Attorney General’s…

Price Gouging Statute in Full Effect for Hurricane Matthew

Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces Price Gouging Statute in Full Effect (COLUMBIA, SC) – October 4, 2016 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced that the price gouging statute is in effect upon notice that Governor Haley issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency. “As we prepare for Hurricane Matthew to make landfall in South Carolina, it’s imperative that South Carolinians make necessary preparations and follow safety instructions. Our state is still recovering from the catastrophic damage caused by the floods in 2015, and as we have witnessed before, we will see many neighbors helping each other during…

AG Wilson Discusses Overtime Lawsuit with Neil Cavuto

AG Wilson Discusses Overtime Rule Lawsuit with Neil Cavuto FOX Business Sept. 21, 2016 The lawsuit alleges that the rule, which would allow millions of Americans to qualify for overtime pay, is unconstitutional. According to the White House, the new rule “doubles the salary threshold—from $23,660 to $47,476 per year—under which most salaried workers are guaranteed overtime.” South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined the FOX Business Network to explain why he opposes the overtime rule, set to go into effect on December 1, 2016. “This administration is completely circumventing the rule of law,” Wilson said. “It’s a power grab…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Joins 21 States Challenging U.S. Department of Labor Overtime Rule (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – September 26, 2016 South Carolina Alan Wilson today joined a coalition of 21 states in filing a federal court complaint challenging the United States Department of Labor’s new overtime rule. If implemented, the new rule will more than double the minimum salary overtime threshold for public and private workers without Congressional authorization. The rule will force many state and local governments to substantially increase their employment costs. Some governments may be forced to eliminate some services and even lay off employees. The…

2016 Silent Witness Ceremony

In Memoriam The South Carolina Silent Witness Story Tuesday, October 4, 2016 10:30 a.m. South Steps South Carolina State House Grounds A solemn ceremony to remember those who died as a result of domestic violence during 2015. During the ceremony, Attorney General Wilson will call the name of each fatal domestic violence victim from the previous year. Friends and family members will place silhouettes on the state house steps which represent the victims. An additional silhouette will represent the unknown victims.

Attorney General Wilson’s Statement on MOX Lawsuit

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALAN WILSON STATEMENT REGARDING MOX LAWSUIT (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released the following statement regarding a lawsuit filed in federal district court today against the United States Department of Energy regarding the MOX facility in Aiken County. “Today, a lawsuit was filed in federal district court against the United States Department of Energy to require the federal government to obey the rule of law. “In September 2015, we sent a letter to Secretary Moniz stating that we expected the Department of Energy to follow through with its promises, otherwise we would be seeking legal…

State AGs: Sending our States Guantanamo detainees would ‘violate federal law and harm our States’

State AGs: Sending our States Guantanamo detainees would ‘violate federal law and harm our States’ (Columbia, S.C.) – Three state attorneys general today told the president any attempt to relocate detainees from Guantanamo Bay to their states would be illegal and should be rejected. In a letter to President Obama, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson noted that U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch yesterday testified in Congress that federal law does not allow transfer of detainees to the U.S. mainland. The state attorneys general ask the president to “abide by…

Investor Alert: Be on the Lookout for Investment Scams

Investor Alert: Be on the Lookout for Investment Scams Related to the Recent Historic Rain and Flooding 10/09/2015 The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is issuing this Investor Alert to help educate investors, including individuals who may receive lump sum payouts from insurance companies and others following the recent historic rainfall and flooding in and around South Carolina, about investment fraud. Hurricanes, floods, oil spills, and other disasters often give rise to investment scams. These scams can take many forms, including promoters touting companies purportedly involved in cleanup efforts, trading programs that falsely guarantee high returns, and classic…

AG Wilson Announces Partnership with Department of Homeland Security

South Carolina is partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in promoting the Blue Campaign. The Blue Campaign is the unified voice for the DHS efforts to combat human trafficking. Working in collaboration with law enforcement, government, non-governmental and private organizations, the Blue Campaign strives to protect the basic right of freedom and to bring those who exploit human lives to justice. Through this partnership, the Attorney General’s Office will provide Blue Campaign training and awareness materials throughout the state to raise public consciousness of human trafficking. These materials will help individuals and communities recognize…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Joins Lawsuit Against EPA’s “Waters of the US” Rule

Attorney General Alan Wilson Joins Lawsuit Against EPA Twenty-seven states now challenging “Waters of the US” Rule (COLUMBIA, S.C.) — Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced he has joined eight other state Attorneys General in a lawsuit filed today in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. The lawsuit asks the court to strike down a new rule from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that unlawfully expands the federal government’s regulatory reach over local streams, lands and farms. The rule, known generally as the “Waters of the United States” rule, would extend the…

Domestic Violence Reform Bill Signed Into Law

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) Attorney General Alan Wilson released the following statement commending the hard work of the General Assembly on passing domestic violence reform and Gov. Nikki Haley for signing it into law today: “I commend Gov. Haley for signing domestic violence reform into law. “While the bill is not perfect and is not the last measure of domestic violence reform needed, it is a giant first step in combatting domestic violence. I look forward to working with Gov. Haley and members of the General Assembly in the future to take the additional steps necessary to further combat this heinous crime…

AG Wilson Discusses 2015 Human Trafficking Legislative Initiative

Attorney General Wilson Calls on General Assembly to Pass Human Trafficking Bill by February. Says “Modern-day slavery is alive and well in our state.” (COLUMBIA, S.C.) South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson held a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 6 to discuss much needed human trafficking legislation for the 2015 session. He stood alongside more than 30 members of the Human Trafficking Task Force in recognizing January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” and challenging the General Assembly to pass this legislation before the end of February. “Modern-day slavery is alive and well here in our state,” Wilson stated. “We’re serious about…

South Carolina Joins 16 States in Challenging President Obama’s Abuse of Power on Immigration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 3, 2014 AG Alan Wilson Announces South Carolina Joins 16 States in Challenging President Obama’s Unconstitutional Abuse of Power with Executive Order on Immigration (COLUMBIA, S.C.) Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced that South Carolina has joined with 16 other states in taking legal action to challenge President Obama’s recent executive action on immigration. The case was filed Wednesday in Federal District Court in the Southern District of Texas. The multistate coalition includes Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. “While…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Joins Governors, Fellow AG’s in Wanting “Waters of the U. S.” Proposal Withdrawn (COLUMBIA, S.C.) Attorney General Alan Wilson joined with sixteen governors and attorneys general in asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to withdraw their proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule. On April 21, 2014, the EPA and Corps jointly released a proposed rule called Definition of Waters of the U.S. Under the Clean Water Act. It would greatly expand the definition of waters that fall under federal jurisdiction. Under the proposal, roadside ditches, small creeks, farm…

2014 Silent Witness Ceremony

The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Through the S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Program Invites You to Join Us For a Day of Remembrance In Memoriam The South Carolina Silent Witness Story Tuesday, October 7, 2014 11:00 a.m. South Steps South Carolina State House Grounds A solemn ceremony to remember those who died as a result of domestic violence during 2013 Currently South Carolina ranks second in the nation for the amount of homicides caused by criminal domestic violence. Each year in October, the Attorney General hosts a Silent Witness ceremony to honor the victims from the preceding year. During this ceremony, wooden silhouettes…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 8, 2014 Attorney General Alan Wilson Releases 2013 Insurance Fraud Annual Report New Director of Insurance Fraud Also Named (COLUMBIA, S.C.) South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the release of South Carolina’s 2013 Insurance Fraud Annual Report. The Insurance Fraud Division of the Office of the Attorney General was created in 1994, with the mission of aggressively confronting insurance fraud in South Carolina. It receives referrals from the Department of Insurance, the South Carolina Worker’s Compensation Commission, the Department of Employment and Workforce, insurance companies, private citizens, law enforcement agencies, as well as attorneys and private…

AG Alan Wilson: Fighting for SC against the EPA

There is a right way to do the right thing, but also a wrong way to do the right thing. Even the best of intentions can lead to negative results. You know what they say about the road to hell — it’s paved with good intentions. The best of intentions can also carry unintended consequences. As stewards of the environment, it is our responsibility to protect it and ensure that we leave it in great condition for years to come. I agree that the environment must be properly protected through sound regulation. Still, that regulation must balance between practical steps…

The Attorney General chairs the Constitutional Ballot Commission. The commission met on Wednesday, Aug. 6, to approve explanations for the two constitutional amendments on the November general election ballot. See below for the two explanations for the amendments which will appear on ballots in the November 4, 2014, General Election: Amendment 1 Must Section 7, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that a raffle is not a lottery prohibited by this section, if the raffle is conducted by a nonprofit organization for charitable,…

South Carolina Stands with Israel

South Carolina Stands with Israel By: Attorney General Alan Wilson There is no better friend to the United States and to South Carolina than the nation of Israel. Today, our friend is under constant attacks on multiple fronts. These relentless threats to the safety and security of Israel jeopardize the international economy, the stability of that region, and could ultimately threaten world peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government have shown tremendous patience and restraint to avoid conflict. However, a nation has a responsibility to defend its people from terrorist networks such as Hamas. Hamas is not acting…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Statement on Halbig v. Burwell Ruling

Attorney General Alan Wilson Statement on Halbig V. Burwell Ruling (COLUMBIA, S.C.) South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released the following statement on today’s ruling by the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in Halbig v. Burwell, striking down an IRS regulation which allowed the use of federal tax subsidies for the purchase of health insurance on federal exchanges under the Affordable Care Act: “I am pleased the court ruled that the IRS exceeded its authority by reinterpreting language in the Affordable Care Act. I joined seven of my fellow Attorneys General in filing amici briefs because we recognize…

SC Attorney General’s Office Warns of Scam

The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office has received numerous calls from people in at least seven states about a scam. They report getting an e-mail allegedly from the Attorney General’s Office with a subject line of “Final Legal Notification” and containing what claims to be an “attorney retainer agreement.” The document carries the seal of the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice and a group called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. The e-mail contains the name of an actual attorney in South Carolina who is not involved in the fraud, and a message that says, “All this…

Attorney General Alan Wilson Files Additional Appeal Documents In Harrell Matter (Columbia, S.C.) Attorney General Alan Wilson announced his Office has filed three appeal documents with the state Supreme Court in connection with the Speaker Bobby Harrell matter. The documents include: 1) Notice of Appeal in the Matter of State Grand Jury Investigation #M2014-237 The notice is to advise the Court that a full appeal will be forthcoming. The appeal briefs will present the merits of this Office’s appeal. Attorney General Wilson writes in the notice of appeal: “The Attorney General, in his official capacity as the Chief Prosecuting Officer…

Attorney General Wilson Issues Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Town of Greece vs. Galloway

Attorney General Alan Wilson Issues Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Town of Greece v. Galloway (COLUMBIA, S.C.) South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released the following statement on today’s 5-4 ruling by the United States Supreme Court, upholding the practice of offering corporate prayer at government meeting in Greece, New York. The South Carolina Attorney General’s office submitted an amicus brief supporting the town of Greece, which was used by the Court in its decision: “I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the First Amendment right of every American to pray, including at the start…

To view the full complaint, click here. MARCH 18, 2014 REMARKS OF SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL ALAN WILSON ON LEGAL ACTIONS TAKEN REGARDING MOX FACILITY Over the last few years, our office has dealt with a similar issue involving Yucca Mountain. In that case the federal government, under an agreement with the states, collected billions of dollars for nuclear waste disposal and with the unilateral stroke of a pen the federal government effectively said, “You keep your nuclear waste and we will keep your money.” In that case, this office brought a suit which resulted in a federal court of…

Attorney General Wilson Issues Statement on CDV Ruling

News Release January 8, 2014 Attorney General Alan Wilson Issues Statement Following The State Supreme Court Ruling on The State v. Paul Gwinn Brief: “Huge victory for victims of criminal domestic violence.” (COLUMBIA, S.C.) Today, Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following statement on the court’s ruling in the South Carolina Supreme Court case, The State v. Paul Gwinn. “We applaud the Supreme Court in its interpretation of South Carolina’s constitution. “The court’s ruling today is a landmark. This decision further enshrines the authority of the Attorney General as the state’s chief prosecutor under our State constitution. It affirms our…

Attorney General Wilson Requests Action On ACA

Due to the lack of response to the multitude of concerns shared with your Administration by numerous states over the last several months, we are requesting you to direct Secretary Sebelius to meet with the concerned attorneys general to address these issues.

The first obligation of government is maintaining the safety and security of its citizens. Ironically, the implementation of a federal program, designed to provide health care to all Americans, puts us all at severe risk because it is riddled with scams and security breaches. Americans should not have to barter their privacy and financial security for health insurance.

South Carolina Wins Yucca Mountain Case in DC.

Attorney General Wilson Announces Appointment of Office’s First Solicitor General

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced the appointment of Robert D. Cook as the first Solicitor General for the Attorney General’s Office. South Carolina now joins more than 30 other states whose Attorney General’s Office has a Solicitor General position. The Solicitor General will assist the Attorney General in developing the office’s legal policy. He will oversee formulation of legal policies and procedures regarding the joining of amicus curiae briefs, and will help navigate issues related to federalism, states’ rights, the rule of law and various other constitutional questions. Cook, who has served at the Attorney General’s Office…

“For nearly 50 years, Sections 4 and 5 have imposed an extraordinary intrusion into state sovereignty in certain states, including South Carolina. Over time, great strides have been made and Sections 4 and 5 have become obsolete.

AG Wilson Applauds Passage of “Ashley Hall Bill”

“An important civics lesson can be learned from this bill and how Ashley Hall parents such as Anna Murray and many others who set an example for citizens can effectively come together to make our state a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.

State Grand Jury Returns First Indictments on Environmental Charges

Abbeville County Magistrate George Ferguson Indicted by State Grand Jury, Charged with Misconduct in Office

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the State Grand Jury today returned indictments against Abbeville County Magistrate George Ferguson. He was charged with two (2) counts of Misconduct in Office.

SC ICAC “Stay Safe Online Week”

The “Stay Safe Online” town hall meeting for parents, children, teachers and all concerned citizens will be held this Friday, April 26 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Meadow Glen Middle School, 440 Ginny Lane in Lexington, S.C. It is open to the public and news media.

Judge Lee Alford sentenced Cook to thirty (30) years on murder, which he will have to serve day for day for thirty (30) years. He also received twenty (20) years on the attempted armed robbery charge and five (5) years on the conspiracy charge, the maximum for each offense, to be served concurrently with the murder conviction.

Attorney General Wilson Files Order to Stop College Professor from Selling Unregistered Securities

Attorney General Alan Wilson issued a Cease and Desist Order against a USC-Upstate professor for offering unregistered securities related to a new private college start-up. Wilson issued an administrative order against Richard “Ric” Routh and Routh’s business, Invictus University. The Order was issued on March 22, 2013 and instructs Routh to “cease and desist” from violating the South Carolina Securities Act.

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina’s Constitutional Ballot Commission gave its unanimous approval Thursday to the wording of a constitutional amendment that will be on November’s ballot. The commission is made up of Attorney General Alan Wilson, Director of the State Election Commission Marci Andino, and Ashley Harwell-Beach, representing the Director of Legislative Council. If the amendment passes, it would change the way South Carolina’s superintendent of education is chosen starting in January 2023. Now, voters elect the superintendent. The amendment asks voters if they want to change that so future governors would choose a superintendent, with the consent of the…